A vote on the application ended tied last night with the chair using his casting ballot to accept the new club after a presentation by Irish Guards Sergeant Ken Fox.

The ban on members of the British armed forces and police from joining the GAA and playing Gaelic sports was lifted 14 years ago when the controversial Rule 21 was deleted following long and divisive debates in Ireland.

"Very simply for me I can see both sides. I can appreciate the way people feel," Mr O'Sullivan said.

"But we have to move forward, don't dwell on the past."

The new club, going under the Irish name Garda Eireannach, will not be restricted to soldiers or past members of the regiment but open to anyone living in areas surrounding their new base in Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, west London.

They will initially play Gaelic football and are said to be considering offering hurling to members in the future.

The regiment was formed on April 1 1900 by Queen Victoria. The Army states it was in recognition of many courageous acts carried out by Irish soldiers in the Second Boer War.